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What to Know About Blepharitis Provided by a Plano Ophthalmologist

An ophthalmologist who services Plano, TX and the surrounding region does more than just prescribe the proper eyewear to correct vision. Our eye doctor, Dr. Ali, earned a medical degree and spent numerous years after graduation undergoing specialized training to correct or manage conditions of the eye including dry eye and blepharitis, which tend to occur simultaneously. This particular eye problem will cause you to have watery eyes, even if you had dry eye to begin with. An expert in ophthalmology has the ability to treat the symptoms by curing the underlying condition.

Definition of Blepharitis

Blepharitis is a term used to describe a condition that causes inflammation of the eye. It tends to involve both where the eyelashes grow and part of the eyelid. It may even affect both eyelids. In many cases, blepharitis begins when a clog in the oil glands irritates the eyes. The condition is usually chronic and difficult to treat. It's not contagious, and it doesn't usually cause permanent damage to the person's eyesight. It is, however, unpleasant looking.

Symptoms of Blepharitis

Someone who has blepharitis may experience swelling of their eyelid. The eyelids may be itchy or look greasy or appear red. The affected eye may be red also. The person might experience burning, stinging or a gritty sensation in the eye. The individual may have flaking around the eye. It's possible that the eye may be sensitive to light. More frequent blinking may occur as well. The eyelids may stick together, and the person might have crusted eyelashes when they wake up. In some cases, the person's eyelashes may fall out or grow abnormally.

Causes of Blepharitis

Blepharitis can stem from seborrheic dermatitis, a condition that causes dandruff on the scalp and eyebrows. A bacterial infection can lead to blepharitis and so can the skin condition, rosacea. The culprit of the swelling might also be attributed to a clogged or malfunctioning oil gland in the eyelids. Some patients develop it as a result of eyelash mites or lice. The underlying cause of the condition could also be allergies to contact solution, eye makeup or eye medications.

How an Ophthalmology Specialist Treats Blepharitis

The condition is oftentimes difficult to treat since the eye doctor needs to determine the underlying cause and treat it effectively. For instance, the eye doctor may need to treat dandruff or lice. An ophthalmology expert may recommend an eye scrub to remove whatever is clogging the glands. In some cases, eye surgeons may conduct surgery to unblock the glands. Eye surgeons might also advise patients to undergo a surgery to treat the dry eye in severe cases. Electromechanical lid margin debridement, also known as BlephEx, might be used to remove biofilm, mites or bacteria to unclog the glands. A thermal pulsation treat may be used to melt and expel materials that are clogging the glands. Intense pulse light (IPL) can unclog the glands and promote the oils to flow normally. Although treatments exist, the condition sometimes remains present, but techniques such as prescription eye drops can help to alleviate discomfort.

Schedule an Appointment Today

To find relief from blepharitis symptoms, contact Texas Eye Surgeons today to schedule an appointment by calling 972-379-3937. We serve Plano, TX and the surrounding area.